Horace Andy

After giving us The Congo’s first ever Scottish show, the Summer Reggae Sunsplash season turns up a more familiar talent in the distinctive vibrato of Horace ‘Sleepy’ Andy. Hardly warranting introduction, Andy’s career as first guitarist, then singer and songwriter has been long and seemingly effortless, and had brought him no small success long before hooking up with Massive Attack and wider acclaim in the 90s.

This longevity owes as much to his acceptance of the new as his honeyed vocal chords, and being ever wary of elders’ dismissal of youthful trends which took him from roots reggae on Studio One through a string of enduring rocksteady classics with producer Bunny Lee and onto the frontline at the inception of dancehall. Aside from Massive Attack his appeal has broadened working with the likes of Mad Professor, Sly & Robbie, Easy Star All-Stars and most recently with house producer Ashley Beedle on Strut’s Inspiration Information series.

It was Beedle with whom he was in Edinburgh with just months ago – in fact, he has appeared in Scotland so regularly it is a wonder that anyone wanting to see him hasn’t bought the proverbial T-shirt. What wouldn’t surprise is if fans of his sweet, soulful reggae, were returning time and again. Having performed prolifically for over 40 years you can be assured Andy is not one to disappoint.